Control means



Oct. 31, 1939. R. s. SANFORD 2,177,749

CONTROL MEANS Original Filed Sept. 17, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR. J

2 6614mm M ATTORNEY.

Oct. 31, 1939. s, SANFORD 2,177,749

CONTROL MEANS Original Filed Sept. 17, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 31, 1939 UNITED STATEE CONTROL MEANS Roy S. Sanford,

Waterbury, Conn.

Original application September 17, 1934, Serial Divided and this application April 15, 1938, Serial No. 202,158

4 Claims.

This invention relates to electrical devices and more particularly to electrically operated directional signal apparatus adapted for use on automotive vehicles.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 744,353, filed September 17, 1934, for Control means.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel directional signal system for vehicles whereby a signal may be energized by manual means and continue in operation for a predetermined time after said manual means are released.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel switch means for controlling the flow of current in an electric circuit in a predetermined manner.

Another object is to provide novel switch means in combination with the steering mechanism of a vehicle for controlling a system of directional signals.

A further object is to provide a novel method of operating a directional signal system for vehicles.

The above and further objects and novel lea-- tures of this invention will appear more fully in the following detailed description taken in corn nection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had primarily to the appended claims for this purpose.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views Fig. l is a diagrammatic view or" a directional signal system embodying this invention, one form of novel relay switch being shown in elevation, partly in section and with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section and with parts broken away, illustrating one form of novel switch mechanism constituting a part of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3--3 of 2;

Fig. l is a section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and,

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5--5 of Fig.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. l, the novel directional signal system comprises a novel manually operable switch ill to be hereinafter described in detail, in combination with steering wheel H, a battery l2, front and rear signal light assemblies 13 and M, respectively, and a pilot light assembly P5.

Preferably, the system also includes novel means whereby a turn signal may be energized at a time prior to the execution of a turn and remain energized for a predetermined interval without further effort on the part of the operator, thus rendering it possible to forewarn other traific of an intended turn while assuring the de-energization oi the signal after making the turn without in any way detracting from the operators control of the vehicle. In the form shown, such 19 means are constituted by a novel relay switch mechanism connected in circuit between switch it and signal light assemblies l3, M, the same comprising a pair or housing or casing members it and it secured to one another by means of bolts ll. In the adjacent, enlarged ends of said casings are mounted a pair of coils l8 and it having hollow centers equal in diameter to the reduced cylindrical portions l9, it of casing l6, Hi. The cylindrical portions it, IS are preferably filled with a suitable liquid such as oil. Slidably mounted within solenoids ill, i8 is an armature or plunger it which also extends into and engages the inner walls of cylinders it, ill. Suitable terminals 25 are provided for coils l3, l8 whereby the same are connected in independent circuits with battery it and switch ill by means of leads Z2, 22' and 23, 23', coil it controlling the right and coil ill the left turn signals.

Core it is provided with a central bore 2d which is closed at each end by threaded plugs 25 to form a closed cylinder which is filled with a suitable liquid. A floating plunger or piston valve All is adapted to reciprocate within said bore, the same being normally held in a central position therein by suitable resilient means such as springs 22, ill" interposed between plugs 25 and the opposite ends of valve plunger 28. Core 26 is, in turn, held in a central position in casing l5, ill by a pair of springs till, The reciprocating movement of piston '25 in core it is limited by stops formed integrally with plugs said stops in the form shown being formed by inwardly extending and eccentrically disposed pins 29. A central longitudinal passage E ia is provided in piston 26 to provide for the ilow therethrough of the oil in cylinder 241, 2

A pair of diametrically disposed passages 3t and 3d. are formed in the walls of core 2t, the same extending longitudinally from opposite ends of said core and turning inwardly to communicate with valve cylinderl l at the center thereof. The flow of liquid through 3t, is controlled by piston valve N which is provided with a shallow, centrally placed, annular groove 3! and a pair of similar but larger grooves 32 and 32' adjacent the ends thereof.

In the outer end of cylinder Hi there is provided a flanged, cup-shaped member 33 adapted to be held in place by a cap 34 threaded onto said cylinder, member 33 being insulated from said cap and the casing by means of a washer 35 and a flanged sleeve 36. One end of spring 28 rests against the inner end of cylinder 33, the latter being insulated from said spring by a washer 31 which is also adapted to position the spring. A plunger 38, constituting a movable contact memher, is slidably mounted in cylinder 33 and extends inwardly into cylinder IS, the inward movement of plunger 38 being limited by the engagement of a flange 39 thereon with the end wall of cylinder 33. A spring 40 is provided for normally holding said contact plunger in the position shown in Fig. 1. A longitudinal passage through the center of plunger 38 and a pair of radial passages provides means of communication between cylinders 33 and IS.

The outer end of spring 40 seats against the inner end of a terminal rod 4|, the same constituting an electrical connection between said terminal and contact plunger 38. Terminal post 4! is supported in a central opening through cap 34, said post being insulated therefrom by a Washer 42 and a suitable bushing 43. Terminal 4| is electrically connected by means of lead 44 to both the front and rear right turn signal lamps 45 and 46. The left-hand end of the relay switch assembly is identical with the right-hand end thereof de-- scribed above, except that the terminal post 4| is connected by lead 44 to the left turn signal lamps 41 and 48. Each of the lamps is provided with a ground connection not shown in the drawings to complete the circuit through battery l2, one terminal of which is also connected to ground.

Preferably, terminal post 4| has a passage 49 therein through which a suitable liquid, such as oil or glycerin, may be injected into the casing, a nut 50 being provided on the outer end of said post to seal said passage. To avoid air bubbles within the casing, nuts 50 and 5|! may be removed, whereupon the liquid may be pumped through the casing. Nut 50' is then replaced and the casing turned on its end, as nut 50 is threaded in place, any air therein escaping through a radial passage therein, the conical outer end of member 4| fitting into the conical seat in nut 50 to eliminate an air pocket.

As heretofore pointed out, the signal system provided by this invention also includes novel switch means for the manual energization of the signals through the relay switch above described, whereby said signals will remain in operation for a predetermined interval after release of said manual means. Such means, as shown, are so constructed, in combination with the steering wheel of the vehicle on which the system is installed, that the driver may at will energize either set of signals irrespective of the position of the steering wheel and without removing either hand therefrom, the driver being free to give his undivided attention to the control of the vehicle, and not being under the necessity of reaching for a switch on the dash or steering column.

In the form shown in Fig. 2, the fixed contacts of switch are mounted on a housing 5! surrounding steering clumn 52, and spaced therefrom as by means of a sleeve 5|a. Said fixed contacts are constituted by a pair of metallic strips 53 and 54 extending longitudinally of steering column 52 on opposite sides thereof and are preferably moulded into the Walls of a cylindrical member 55 made of insulating material such as Bakelite, which member is supported on housing 5| by means of an internal shoulder 55 which engages the upper end of said housing. The upper, outside edges of contacts 53 and 54 are not insulated, and the lower ends thereof are connected to solenoid coils l8 and I8, respectively, by means of leads 23 and 23.

The movable contact member of switch H) is constituted by the annular metallic hub portion 51 of steering wheel H, which latter is mounted on the upper reduced end portion of steering column 52, being held thereon by a nut 58. The central opening in hub 51 is hyperbolic or similar thereto in cross-section to permit of a lateral tilting movement of wheel I l, the smallest diameter being only slightly greater than that of the reduced portion of the steering column. The extreme lower portion of hub 51 is hollowed out to a diameter somewhat greater than the outside diameter of the upper end of member 55, which extends into said hub, and the lower annular end 51a of said hub is adapted to be tilted into engagement with contact 53 or contact 54.

Wheel I is normally held in a horizontal position relative to column 52 and hub 57 is held out of engagement with contacts 53 and 54 by means of a coil spring 59 interposed between hub 51 and a shoulder formed on steering column 52. A leaf spring BU, inserted in longitudinal slots in hub 51 and column 52, absorbs any undesirable lateral movement or rattling of wheel Turning movement of wheel may be transmitted to hub 51 by any suitable means, such as suitably covered metal spokes 6| operatively connected to said wheel in the usual manner. Such movement is, in turn, transmitted to column 52 for turning the front wheels of the vehicle through the medium of a ball 62. The latter is maintained in a radial opening 53 in hub 51 by a plug 64, a portion of said ball extending into a groove having a semi-circular crosssection in shaft 52.

In operation, the driver, when approaching a turn to the right, for example, need only tilt the steering wheel to the right against the pressure of spring 59, thus bringing the lower edge 51a of hub 51 into contact with the exposed upper end of contact strip 53. A circuit is thereby closed from battery 12 through lead 22, coil I8, lead 23, strip 53, hub 57, shaft 52 and ground. The electromagnetic forces set up by the energization of solenoid l8 tend to move plunger 20 and valve 25, as viewed in Fig. 1, to the right. The movement of plunger 23 is at first resisted by spring 28 and the fluid in cylinder 19, the only passage for said fluid to permit such movement being via restricted groove 3| on valve 28. Said valve, being resisted only by s ring 21, quickly moves to the right against stop 29, bringing large groove 32 into register with passages 30 and 30' to permit a relatively free flow of liquid from cylinder l9 to cylinder l9. Plunger 26 now moves more rapidly to the right, together with valve 25, into engagement with contact plunger 38, the latter being moved against the pressure of spring 40 until the outer end thereof contacts terminal post 4|, the above action taking place almost instantaneously upon the contacting of hub 51 with strip 53.

The engagement of plungers 26, 25 and 33 closes a second circuit from battery |2 through lead 66, casing l6, plungers 20 and 311, spring 40, post 4|,

lead 44, right turn signal lamps 45 and 46 and ground. As soon as the driver releases the pressure on the right-hand side of wheel ii and the contact at 5'! is broken, current ceases to flow in coil i8, whereupon valve 26 is immediately returned by spring 2'! to a central position in chamber 24 again bringing restricted groove 3| into register with passages 38 and 30, thus restricting the flow of fluid from cylinder 19 to cylinder i9. Plungers 20 and 33 are thus restrained to move slowly to the left toward neutral position under the action of springs 28 and 40, the rate depending upon the size of groove 3|. The circuit through the signal lamps is thus maintained until movement of contact 33 is arrested by flange 39 encountering the end of cylinoler 33 and plunger 20 is moved out of engagement therewith by spring 28. Due to the arrangement of the Springs, and the passages in member 38, the latter moves out of engagement with member 4! before plunger 2i? moves out of engagement with member 38. Until the latter movement occurs, the circuit is maintained by spring 40. The signals will thus be energized upon the tilting of the steering wheel and remain in operation for a predetermined interval after contact at the steering wheel is broken, the interval being determined by the size of groove 3! in valve 26 and the viscosity of'the fluid employed.

When the driver wishes to signify his intention to turn left, he need only press down on the left side of wheel I i, thereby closing a circuit through coil H8. The action of the relay switch is the same as above described, except that the parts move to the left instead of to the right. The pilot lights I5 indicate the condition of operation of the right and left hand circuits.

There is thus provided a novel directional signal system for automotive vehicles embodying novel manual and automatic switch means, whereby a signal may be energized to indicate an intention on the part of the driver to make a turn at any desired interval prior to the actual turning movement, said signal being automatically de-energized after a predetermined interval. There is also provided novel switch means: in combination with the steering mechanism of a vehicle whereby an electric circuit may be closed without in any way disturbing the drivers grip on. the steering wheel. Novel automatic, fluid controlled relay switch means are also provided for determining the interval of operation of said signals after release of the initiating switch. Mentally, the driver is thus concerned only with initiating the signal whenever he desires to make a turn, and physically, he need not for a single instant divert his efforts from the normal control of the vehicle.

Although only one embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described, it is to be expressly understood that the same is not limited thereto, but that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, a gaseous fluid as well as a liquid may be employed in the novel relay unit for controlling the speed of movement of the parts. Other types of electrical relays may be employed if desired, and the relay of the present invention may be used in other environments. The steering wheel switch may be employed to control other accessories, such as a horn, etc. Various changes may also be made in the design and arrangement of parts illustrated, as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Reference will be had primarily to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1.111 a vehicle wherein a steering wheel is mounted on a steering column for rotation therewith and for a tilting movement relative thereto, the combination therewith of an annular contact on said wheel at the hub thereof and connected to ground through said column, a pair oi": stationary contacts supported on opposite sides of said column and adapted to be connected in an electric circuit, said stationary contacts being adapted to be engaged by said annular contact when said wheel is tilted, and resilient means for normally maintaining said wheel in non-tilted position.

2. In combination, a shaft, a wheel mounted to rotate with said shaft and to have a limited tilting movement relative thereto, resilient means normally holding said wheel against said tilting movement, a contact ring at the hub of said wheel, said ring being grounded through said shaft, and sector-shaped contacts mounted at the side of said shaft and adapted to be engaged by said ring when the wheel is tilted.

3. In a vehicle wherein a steering wheel is adapted to transmit torque to a steering column to turn said vehicle and to have a limited tilting movement relative thereto, an annular contact carried by said wheel at the hub thereof, a cylindrical shell of insulation surrounding said steering column, and sector-shaped contacts carried by said shell in the Wall thereof, said sectorshaped contacts extending within said annular contact, one of said sector-shaped contacts being adapted to become electrically connected to said annular contact when the wheel is tilted.

4. In a vehicle wherein a steering wheel is mounted on a steering column for rotation therewith and for a tilting movement relative thereto, the combination therewith of an annular contact on said wheel at the hub thereof and connected to ground through said column, a resilient member surrounding said column and interposed between said column and said contact to normally maintain said wheel in non-tilted position, other resilient means interposed between said column and said contact whereby lay eral movement is absorbed, and a pair of contacts mounted on opposite sides of said column. insulated from. the latter and extending within said annular contact, one of said contacts being engaged by said annular contact when the wheel is tilted and thereby being connected to ground.

ROY S. SANFORD. 

